“The situation in Sikkim is quite bad. Lots of people have lost their lives and homes. Bhaichung Bhutia has started a fund. It’s the USFC And Sikkim express fund a/c no 24950100005733, Bank of Baroda and RTGS BARB0GANGTO, Bank code 012. Every contribution no matter how big or small will help. And you can be assured it will go to the right place. Thanks,” Kunal said in a statement.

Bhutia, who was caught in the devastating earthquake in Sikkim Sep 18, urged people all over the country to help his home state and announced plans for a charity match to raise funds.

The 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Sikkim claimed at least 78 lives in the state. The quake rattled large parts of north and eastern India and also jolted neighbouring Nepal, Tibet and Bangladesh.